1912. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
191 
My Farewell Car 
By R. E. Olds , Designer 
\ • 
Reo the Fifth- -the car I now bring out—is regarded by 
me as pretty close to finality. Embodied here are the final 
results of my 25 years of experience. I do not believe that 
a car materially better will ever be built. In any event, this 
car marks my limit. So I’ve called it My Farewell Car. 
My 24th Model 
This is the twenty-fourth model 
which I have created in the past 
25 years. 
They have run from one to six 
cylinders—from 6 to 60 horse¬ 
power. 
From the primitive cars of the 
early days to the most luxurious 
modern machines. 
I have run the whole gamut of 
automobile experience. I have 
learned the right and the wrong 
from tens of thousands of users. 
In this Farewell Car, I adopt the 
size which lias come to be stand¬ 
ard—the 30 to 35 horsepower, 
four-cylinder car. 
Where It Excels 
The chiefest point where this 
car excels is in excess of care and 
caution. 
The best I have learned in 25 
years is the folly of taking chances. 
In every steel part the alloy that 
I use is the best that has been dis¬ 
covered. And all my steel is ana¬ 
lyzed to know that it meets my 
formula. 
I test my gears with a crushing 
machine—not a hammer. I know 
to exactness what each gear will 
stand. 
I put the magneto to a radical 
test. The carburetor is doubly 
heated, for low-grade gasoline. 
I use nickel steel axles with 
Timken roller bearings. 
Serin every part. The best that 
any man knows for every part has 
been adopted here. The margin of 
safety is always extreme. 
I regard it impossible, at any 
price, to build a car any better. 
Center Control, 
Finish, etc. 
Reo the Fifth has a center, 
cane-handle control. It is our in¬ 
vention, our exclusive feature. 
Gear shifting is done by a very 
slight motion, in one of four di¬ 
rections. 
't here are no levers, cither side 
or center. Both of the brakes oper¬ 
ate by foot pedals. So the driver 
climbs out on either side as easily 
as you climb from the tonneau. 
The body finish consists of 17 
coats. The upholstering is deep, 
and of hair-filled genuine leather. 
The lamps are enameled, as per 
the latest vogue. Even the engine 
is nickel trimmed. 
I have learned by experience 
that people like stunning appear¬ 
ance. 
The wheel base is long—the ton¬ 
neau is roomy—the wheels are 
large—the car is over-tired. Every 
part of the car—of the chassis 
and the body—is better than you 
will think necessary. No price 
could buy anything better. 
Price, $1,055 
This car—my finest creation— 
has been priced for the present at 
$1,055. 
This final and radical paring of 
cost is considered by most men as 
my greatest achievement. 
It has required years of prepara¬ 
tion. It has compelled the inven¬ 
tion of much automatic machinery. 
It necessitates making every part 
in our factory, so no profits go to 
parts makers. 
It requires enormous production, 
small overhead expense, small sell¬ 
ing expense, small profit. It means 
a standardized car for years to 
come, with no changes in tools 
and machinery. 
In addition to that, by making 
only one chassis we are cutting off 
nearly $200 per car. 
Thus Reo the Fifth gives far 
more for the money than any other 
car in existence. It gives twice as 
much as some. 
But this price is not fixed. We 
shall keep it this low just as long 
as we can. If materials advance 
even slightly the price must also 
advance. No price can be fixed for 
six months ahead without leaving 
big margin, and we haven’t done 
that. The cost lias been pared to 
the limit. 
Catalog Ready 
Our new catalog shows the va¬ 
rious styles of body. It tells all 
the materials, gives all specifica¬ 
tions. With these facts before you, 
you can easily compare any other 
car with this Reo the Fifth. 
If you want a new car you 
should do that. Judge the facts 
for yourself. Don’t pay more than 
our price for less value. After 25 
years spent in this business, here is 
the best car I can build. And the 
price is $1,055. Don’t you think 
you should know* that car ? 
Write now for this catalog. 
When we send it we will tell you 
where to see the car. Address— 
R. M. 
Owen & Co., c £''i S' Reo Motor Car Co., Lansing, Mich. 
Canadian Factory, St. Catharines, Ontario 
Reo the Fifth 
$1,055 
30-35 
Horsepower 
Wheel Base— 
112 Inches 
Wheels— 
34 Inches 
Demountable 
Rims 
Speed - 
45 Miles per 
Hour 
Made with 2, 
4 and 5 Pas- 
sengerBodies 
Top and windshield not included in price. We equip this car with mohair top, side curtains and slip cover, windshield, gas tank and 
speedometer—all for $100 extra. Self-starter, if wanted, $25 extra. 
J~± 
